Harbor Freight Calipers on Sale

[rfwobbly]

Harbor Freight digital 4" metric/inch stainless steel calipers now on sale for $15. I find that the electronic measurement display really helps prevent reading errors, something that can really help beginners. Although I prefer the 6", these should do just fine for all measurements up to 30-06. Case and spare battery included.

CHECK IT OUT

Hope this helps!

 

[Motownfire]

Cool. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Walkalong]

Get em folks, they work fine.

I find that the electronic measurement display really helps prevent reading errors

by us old guys with decaying vision.

 

[matrem]

Have no doubt that they're completely adequate.
No 1st hand experience with Harbor Freight (brand) digital calipers, but, as with all "electronic / digital".
Take the battery out when not in use... Unless you like buying batteries.

 

[Tilos]

Thanks for the Link

One of the most useful, under used tools in reloading.
Not used enough by most, is the depth feature on the back!!

It can be used to measure the stem on a powder measure as a reference to return to a setting, you don't need an expensive "micrometer" spindle.

Measure and record the length of a bullet seater stem for a given bullet design, as a reference to return to whenever using that same bullet.

The same goes for the expanding/flair die.

The best advantage of electronic over dial is the ability to "zero" it at any measurement.
For OAL find a round that is nominal and set the caliper to "zero" while measuring it and now the caliper reads directly as a Plus/Minus measurement.

Tilos(the new guy here)

 

[rfwobbly]

One thing I really like about the digital calipers is that you can "zero" on anything.

• Say you want to know how much longer 44Mag brass is than 9x19. Measure the 9mm and hit the ZERO button, then measure the 44mag brass. The answer appears on the caliper screen with no manual subtraction needed.

• Say you have a batch of 38 Spcl brass and you want to use only the ones that are exactly 1.154" long. Open the calipers to 1.154" and hit the ZERO button. Now when you measure a case that reads "0.0" you got one. This is much easier than trying to make readings repeatedly, while not transposing digits to 1.145".


Cool, huh?

 

[rfwobbly]

Have no doubt that they're completely adequate.
No 1st hand experience with Harbor Freight (brand)...

It's the same ones I've seen packaged as Franklin Arsenal, and others.

 

[matrem]

It's the same ones I've seen packaged as Franklin Arsenal,

Yep.. that's why the "(brand)"
And definitely take the batteries out when not in use.
And I'm guessing you meant "Frankford" arsenal?

 

[Walkalong]

It has a automatic off feature. My batteries last a long time. I am only on my second battery, and I've had it over a year at least.

 

[jcwit]

Most of the battery problems are the cause of the foam pushing the "ON" button when the case is closed. Cut that portion out and end of problem.

 

[matrem]

It has a automatic off feature. [/QUOTE
Not convinced it works... Hence my point!

 

[Walkalong]

Mine does. Feel free to continue taking your battery out.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

My experience with the HF calipers has not been good. Most have had both batteries DOA. It got to be a matter of how many times do I exchange before I get one that works. I finally gave up.

 

[Walkalong]

My factory battery did not last long. I figured it sat around a long time. The replacements I bought have done well. (Any brand "357" battery)

 

[schmeky]

What a coincidental thread. I bought a pair of HF calipers yesterday, not the electronic version, but the set with the 0-100" dial indicator. I've had the same "dash line" dial indicator for about 20+ years and I'm having more difficultly lately reading it accurately.

I checked this cheapie HF dial indictor against my Mitutoyo 0-1.0" micrometer. Much to my surprise, the HF indicator was perfect. It matched my Mitutoyo precisely to the .001". Wow.

A really great caliper for an amazing price.

 

[Kernel]

I'm on my second pair of HF digital calipers and think they're okay. Be advised some of the key structural parts are plastic and WILL break if used harshly (like the piece that holds the adjustment wheel). Baby them and they should last a long time.

 

[kingmt]

I have been using one for 5 or so years.

The best advantage of electronic over dial is the ability to "zero" it at any measurement.
For OAL find a round that is nominal and set the caliper to "zero" while measuring it and now the caliper reads directly as a Plus/Minus measurement.

You can zero a dial indicator also.

 

[jpwilly]

I use the HF digital calipers they work great! I have seen them in many flavors selling for nearly $50 at some stores with different screen printing on them. Buyer beware.

 

[ants]

I got mine in summer '08. Still on the same battery.
I must have got it when it was fresh off the boat.

 

[Lucky Strike]

I've had the HF 4" digital for about 1.5 years now, I think I paid $25....first battery lasted about a year, the thing seems to be working good. Only thing that's kind of annoying is the end of my hand hangs off the back of the caliper (slightly uncomfortable) when using it. If I could do it over again I'd probably pay the extra $15 or whatever the difference was to get the 6" one.

 

[Kernel]

^^^^
Most mechanical calipers DO have a dial indicator (others use a venier scale). That's why they're MECHANICAL instead of electronic.

 

[Hey_Allen]

I have a Frankfort Arsenal one, as well as a Harbour Freight model, and as others have said, they are identical other than the color of the plastic and the screen printing on them.

So far the HF one has a battery in better shape than the Frankfort model which drained completely while packed up with my reloading supplies during a move.

 

[Tilos]

Kernel said, "Most mechanical calipers DO have a dial indicator"

Really??

So when I measure with a DIAL caliper, say a 9mm OAL at 1.100", how do I ZERO it at 1.100" ??

How's that work?
Let me know and I'll try it.

Tilos

 

[Art Eatman]

Tilos, my old-style mechanical dial-indicator setup on my caliper has a rotating dial which can be set to any desired zero point.

So, save the sarcasm...

 

[greg531mi]

I got my first Harbor Freight 6" digital Calipers in 1986 for $15....They do eat batteries, about 1 per 6 months....and the only other problem I have with them, is the battery cover tends to come off, and have to hunt for it a couple of times....Of course, I used them every day, doing CNC machining...and checking them with standards...they tend to be accurate within .002 of an inch.....
I would buy the 6 inch one, they have more uses than reloading, and a 4 inch limits the measurements....and are about the same price....I have seen them re-branded with different names, and almost twice the price for the same calipers....Guess they think people are stupid, and will buy the same thing, but with a different name on it!
Some of Harbor fieght tools are worth it, like this item, but be carefull with other tools that they sell....Most are not as good as USA made tools, but they do not charge much for them.....